19 REASONS TO LOVE Zhangjiajie

Located in China’s Hunan province, Zhangjiajie seems a land from another world, with its dreamlike karst landscapes shrouded in rolling mist. Begin your journey by exploring its incredible mountains and beautiful waterscapes

1 The view from Tianzi Mountain

Tianzi Shan means Son of Heaven Mountain, which is a ftting name for this almost mythical landscape of karst pinnacles and spires rising from subtropical forests. When the mist rolls in, enveloping all but the peaks, the scene becomes even more spectacular and otherworldly. It’s a place that will make you ponder the secret workings and majesty of nature. Hike along mountain trails where you will encounter diverse fora and fauna, or take the cable car to the top.

2 Yuanjiajie: the closest thing on Earth to Avatar’s Pandora

If you’ve ever wished you could experience the sensory world of Pandora seen in James Cameron’s 2009 flm Avatar, then Yuanjiajie Scenic Area will bring you pretty close. From the top of the Hallelujah Mountains, you could be fooled into thinking that the isolated peaks were foating, as a sea of clouds hangs below making the clifs seem bottomless – an optical illusion that has mystifed visitors for centuries.